Orangeville wins big in national Communities in Bloom competition

The Town of Orangeville is the winner of the 10,001-30,000 population category in the national Communities in Bloom (CiB) contest. The Town of Orangeville achieved a Five-Bloom Silver rating and a special mention for the Friendship Gardens at the Headwaters Health Care Centre, as announced September 29 at the National/International Symposium and Awards Ceremonies in Strathcona County, Alberta. The Town competed in the finals with Leamington, Ontario and Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland.

Judges travelled to participating communities over the summer to evaluate the overall contributions of municipal council and departments, industry, businesses and the private sector, including volunteer efforts, in regards to the following criteria; tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape and floral displays.

Following their evaluation, judges Susan Ellis and Tina Liu wrote: “The creation of the Friendship Gardens was the idea of a group of volunteers called Friends of Headwaters and was initiated in 1997. Having raised money to buy equipment and a critical care unit for the hospital, the group looked at the beautiful new facility and saw the barren landscape outside. Eight spectacular gardens now surround the hospital, providing horticultural therapy for all patients, staff and visitors. The gardens are well kept and maintained, and are a wonderful example for any community health centre that wishes to provide a holistic, thoughtful, and therapeutic setting for healing.”

Communities in Bloom has been a passion of Orangeville’s committee chair Ted Zarudny who has experience as a national and international judge. “It was quite a surprise to win the nationals especially after such a short time being involved,” Mr. Zarudny says. “It is a tribute to the hard work of the Town, the volunteer groups and service clubs, and the citizens. Winning will allow us to decide what category we could compete in in 2019, such as class of champions, international etc.” He adds that being national winners is a boost for the Town’s tourism, business and residents.

Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement and the challenge of a national program, with focus on the enhancement of green spaces.

On the stage for the National/International Communities in Bloom Symposium and Award Ceremonies, Ted Zarudny accepts the top award in the 10,001-30,000 population category on behalf of the Orangeville Communities in Bloom Committee. Flanked by police representatives are Tina Liu (judge), Susan Ellis (judge), Ted Zarundny, Karen Stevenson (Scott’s Canada ), Orangeville Councillor Sylvia Bradley, and Veronica Cvet (member of Orangeville Communities in Bloom).

The Friendship Gardens at Headwaters Health Care Centre received a special mention at the national Communities in Bloom Symposium and Award Ceremonies and the gardening team attended an Appreciation Night on October 4 at the Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre. The Town of Orangeville won the national competition in the 10,001-30,000 population category and achieved a five-bloom silver rating. From left to right are Vickie Lewis, Erika Sayers, Liz Smith, Sue Orr, Lynn Sinclair-Smith, Orangeville Communities in Bloom Committee chair Ted Zarudny and Orangeville Mayor Jeremy D Williams. The Town’s profile book for this year’s competition can be viewed at https://www.orangeville.ca/get-file/6441

Orangeville Communities in Bloom Committee chair Ted Zarudny presents a granite trophy to Orangeville Mayor Jeremy D Williams, following the Town’s big win in Communities in Bloom at the national level. The Town of Orangeville won the national competition in the 10,001-30,000 population category and achieved a five-bloom silver rating. The granite trophy is provided by the National Capital Commission (NCC) for CiB winners. The granite is extracted from the Canadian Shield in Quebec. The trophy is adorned with a pewter maple leaf. This is the Town’s fourth year competing in Communities in Bloom, first at the provincial level and the last two years at the national level. “To win a national title in four years is quite an honour,” said Mr. Zarudny who is himself a judge at the national and international level.